West Adelaide Hellas Soccer Club (SC) has responded to a federal safety audit which deemed its Kilburn stadium ‘unsafe’.
The Department for Infrastructure and Transport audit found several cases of tripping hazards, as well as “high risk” inadequate construction.
West Adelaide Hellas SC President Alexandros Alexandrou says most of the safety issues addressed by the audit were sorted within 48 hours.
“There’s two pitches there [at the Kilburn stadium]. We can’t use the main pitch at the moment but we’re awaiting confirmation so we can start using it again. As far as completing the projects so we can start playing there again, we’re exploring some other avenues but we’ve been inundated with donations of trades and products, from paints to electrical stuff, so we can move ahead and finish it off,” Mr. Alexandrou tells the Greek Herald.
“With a project like this, there’s always defects. They are being addressed and being actioned upon by the people that did the work. It’s all standard stuff.”
West Adelaide Hellas Soccer Club released a statement hours later:
“The West Adelaide Hellas Soccer Club has a long and proud history of the development of the game at both a state and national level. The club provides a safe and inclusive environment for over 500 junior boys and girls, senior men and women, and amateur players. Since 2014, we have embarked on a club-defining project to establish the Kilburn Sportsplex, for the benefit of West Adelaide Hellas and the wider community at large.
Through the State Government and Football South Australia, $4.8 million has been provided towards building the Sportsplex. As of July 2021, the total spend is $5.34 million, along with a further $500,000 of in-kind club contributions. Since construction commenced in 2017, the club has contributed in excess of $1 million in cash and in-kind contributions. To date the club has delivered, albeit an incomplete facility valued in excess of $12 million.
A recent safety audit conducted outlined issues that were raised with the club and were addressed and completed within 48 hours of notification from the Office of Recreation and Sport. All elements of the Sportsplex have been constructed in accordance with the approved documentation and all relevant structural inspections of the works have taken place, and approved by all relevant government instrumentalities, including the Port Adelaide Enfield Council and the Development Assessment Commission.
The volunteers of this club are committed to working with the Hon Corey Wingard MP, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, and all government agencies to deliver on its commitment and complete the Kilburn Sportsplex to a match-ready standard.”
Source: The Advertiser
